John 17:6-19
6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
Reflection
Because the disciples were given permission to eavesdrop on this prayer, we know what Jesus thinks of us and how he prays for us (cf. Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25). Jesus thinks of us as a gift to him from the Father (John 17:6; see also v. 24). He treasures and cherishes us as a bridegroom treasures his bride, for that is what we are (Eph. 5:22–33).
Because Jesus loves us, he prays for the increase of our joy —the same joy that fills his own heart (John 17:13). He also prays for our protection in the world —a battlefield that is simultaneously our mission field. Jesus does not pray that we won’t suffer (Phil. 1:29) but that we will be kept from the Evil One (John 17:15), our defeated Enemy who seeks to sabotage our worship and work in the world. Jesus also prays that the Father’s words would create increasing godliness in our hearts and actions (i.e., sanctification; v. 17). The Father’s words, however, will always steer us back to Jesus, since he is the One to whom all the Scriptures point (Luke 24:27). Our ongoing transformation occurs only as God graciously leads us to our Savior Jesus in the gospel.
James 3:13-18
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Reflection
James presents two kinds of wisdom. Selfish ambition and jealousy drive the “earthly, unspiritual, demonic” wisdom that creates disorder and wickedness (James 3:14–15). If there is no God, selfish ambition is understandable, even if it causes “every vile practice” (v. 16). But God’s wisdom is pure, peaceful, merciful, and righteous (vv. 17–18).
As Jesus often did, James offers two choices, two ways of life. We can embrace self-centered earthly wisdom and suffer the consequences of relational disorder and wickedness, or we can live by the peace-making “wisdom from above” (v. 17) and reap a “harvest of righteousness” (v. 18).
Psalm 119:173-175
173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. 174 I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. 175 Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me.
God’s ways are always best in the end, even if they create various types of difficulties for us as we follow him through a sinful world. Allow God’s wisdom to be your guide, and pray for joy as you entrust yourself to him and his guidance in his Word.